Older players will be saddened to hear that Phil Sharp passed away on Thursday 22 August 2024, aged 90. Phil was a long time member of Chelmsford Table Tennis Club and a regular member of their first division teams back in the 1980s and 1990s. When the Chelmsford A team were relegated he was a member of the division two side who bounced straight back as division two Champions in 1984-5. He was known for his no nonsense “thou shalt not pass defensive” style of play. Phil also played for various Chelmsford’s Veterans Representative teams and he also played in the Brentwood and London Bank’s Leagues from time to time.

In addition to Table Tennis Phil was a founder member of Springfield Cricket Club and an early member of CAMRA. He was a frequent long distance walker in his younger days (often with members of the Springfield Cricket Club) and even had a go at road race cycling.He was born in Hornchurch and as a West Ham Season Ticket holder he had his fair share of ups and downs.Phil was a big fan of live Table Tennis and a frequent visitor to overseas events. He preferred to go early in the week with the option of not having a “fixed seat” to contend with.He even tried his hand at writing and had two books published in his name.

Professionally Phil worked for the French Banking giant Credit Lyonnais for his entire life and he taught himself French. He managed various Branches including South Kensington and Edinburgh and he became the Bank’s first Compliance Officer - in the very early days of what is now a massive role in all City firms. In the days before “on-line” learning modules were the norm it was his job to visit branches to advise staff what they needed to be aware of.

Phil leaves behind a wife and daughter.

Funeral details will follow.

Written by Alan Clancy / Steve Kerns